A Review of the Potential of Chilean Native Berries in the Treatment of Obesity and its Related Features

Decoding the enhanced antioxidant activities of the combined small berry pomaces by widely targeted metabolomics analysis

Small berry pomaces (SBPs) are poorly utilized as an inexpensive source of bioactive compounds. This study investigated the impact of compounding treatment on nutritional and antioxidant characteristics of combined SBPs, in comparison with single SBP. The results showed that the amounts of protein, minerals, dietary fiber (DF) and anthocyanidins were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in combined SBPs than in combined fruits. Moreover, the combined SBPs were characterized by an elevated abundance of minerals and anthocyanidins (6 kinds, and 5 kinds, respectively), substantiating the effectiveness of compounding treatment on SBP nutrition. A total of 776 secondary phytochemicals were detected in combined SBPs by a widely targeted metabolomics approach. Each SBP contained approximately 100 kinds of unique natural antioxidants. Furthermore, the combined SBPs group had the highest antioxidant activity compared with single SBP. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activities determined in combined SBPs were higher than arithmetic mean value of single SBP. The synergism and interaction of active components in different sources of SBPs play vital role in the high antioxidant capacity of combined SBPs. All the results provide reference for the comprehensive development and utilization of fruit residues. The SBPs should be highly prized for their substantial amount of nutritional and bioactive constituents, including protein, DF, essential minerals and secondary metabolites. These secondary metabolites are positively associated with antioxidant benefits. The present study summarizes the knowledge about bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of combined SBPs group and discusses the relevant mechanisms. A conclusion can be educed that combined process is an effective way to improve properties of the pomaces.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum and Gypenoside-IV Ameliorate Metabolic Disorder and Gut Microbiota in Diet-Induced-Obese Mice

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (G. pentaphyllum) is a perennial liana herb of the Cucurbitaceae family which has both nutraceutical and pharmacological functions. The objective of the current study was to investigate the preventative effects of G. pentaphyllum and Gypenoside-IV (GP-IV, a saponin monomer in G. pentaphyllum) on metabolic symptoms in high fat diet induced obese (DIO) mice with gut microbiota dysbiosis. G. pentaphyllum water extract (GPWE, 150 mg/kg•d^- 1) and GP-IV (50 mg/kg•d^- 1) were orally administered to DIO mice by gavage for 10 weeks. The results showed that both GPWE and GP-IV prevented obesity development by decreasing body weight gain, reducing fat mass/body weight ratio and inhibiting adipocyte hypertrophy. GPWE and GP-IV also improved lipid profile and glucose tolerance effectively. Moreover, GPWE and GP-IV treatments partly restored gut microbiota in DIO mice. Typically, GPWE and GP-IV reduced Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, increased the abundance of certain health-promoting bacteria and reduced the abundance of microbiota that were associated with metabolic disorders. We conclude that GPWE and GP-IV can ameliorate metabolic symptoms possibly via modulating gut microbiota in DIO mice.

Evaluation of Biochemical Properties, Antioxidant Activities and Phenolic Content of Two Wild-Grown Berberis Fruits: Berberis nummularia and Berberisatrocarpa

To evaluate the potential health-promoting benefits of Berberis nummularia and B. atrocarpa fruits, the biochemical properties (nutrition component, mineral substance, organic acids), total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS and ORAC) capacity of ethanol extracts of B. nummularia and B. atrocarpa fruits wild-grown in Xinjiang were analyzed. The results indicated that there were no meaningful differences (p > 0.05) between the ash (1 ± 0.1 and 1 ± 0.0 g/100 g), fiber (16 ± 1.0 and 18 ± 1.4) and carbohydrate (57 ± 1.8 and 56 ± 1.8 g/100 g) content, respectively, in the dry fruits of B. nummularia and B. atrocarpa. The total fat (7 ± 0.4 and 5 ± 0.1 mg/100 g), soluble sugar (23 ± 0.6 and 12 ± 1.4 g/100 g), titratable acidity (18 ± 2.5% and 14 ± 1.3%) content, and energy value (330.86 and 314.41 kcal/100 g) of B. nummularia was significantly higher than that of B. atrocarpa fruits. Both species contain malic acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid and fumaric acid, in which, malic acid is the dominant organic acid. The organic acid and mineral components of B. nummularia fruits were significantly higher than that of B. atrocarpa (p < 0.05). The total phenolic and flavonoid content of B. nummularia were 2 ± 0.0 mg GA/g DW and 2 ± 0.0 mg RE/g DW, respectively, which were significantly lower than the total phenolic and flavonoid content of B. atrocarpa (12 ± 0.1 mg GA/g DW and 9 ± 0.0 mg RE/g DW). The antioxidant capacity of B. nummularia (4 ± 0.1 mg Ascorbic acid/g DW for DPPH, 32 ± 0.1 mg Trolox/g DW for FRAP, 80 ± 3.0 mg Trolox/g DW for ABTS and 60 ± 3.6 mg Trolox/g for ORAC was significantly lower than that of B. atrocarpa (12 ± 0.0 mg Ascorbic acid/g DW for DPPH, 645 ± 1.1 mg Trolox/g DW for FRAP, 304 ± 3.0 mg Trolox/g DW for ABTS and 155 ± 2.8 mg Trolox/g for ORAC). B. atrocarpa fruits showed significantly higher antioxidant capacity than that of B. nummularia. The fruits of the two species can be used in food coloring and nutritional supplements, and consumption of the fruits can aid in weight control and reduce blood glucose or cholesterol.

Dietary Phytochemicals that Can Extend Longevity by Regulation of Metabolism

Diet provides energy and nutrition for human survival, and also provides various joy of taste. Extensive studies have shown that the major components of diet, such as protein, carbohydrate and fat, play important roles in regulating aging and longevity. Whether other dietary ingredients can help prevent aging and extend longevity is a very interesting question. Here based on recent findings, we discussed dietary plant ingredients that can extend longevity by regulation of metabolism, targeting TRP channels, mitophagy, senescence pathways and circadian rhythms. Better understanding of the detailed effects and mechanisms of dietary ingredients on longevity regulation, would be helpful for developing new intervention tools for preventing aging and aging related diseases.

Bioaccessibility of Anthocyanins on in vitro Digestion Mmodels: Factors Implicated and Role in Functional Foods Development

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, the prevalence of obesity and related non-communicable chronic diseases is high and continues to grow. In that sense, anthocyanins (ANC) have shown beneficial health effects in preventing obesity and metabolic risk factors. Moreover, the demand for functional foods incorporating these compounds has risen significantly in the past years. Thus, there is a need for validations of the functional properties of these formulations; nevertheless, in vivo assays are complex and require a lot of resources. One approach for estimating bioactive compounds' functionality and health benefits is to evaluate their bioaccessibility on a specific food matrix, determined by various factors. This article aims to review different factors influencing the bioaccessibility of ANC evaluated on in vitro digestion models as a functionality parameter, elucidating the effect of chemical composition, raw materials, food matrices, and vehicles for the delivery of ANC.

METHODS

Study searches were performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct databases.

RESULTS

Different factors influenced bioaccessibility and stability of ANC studied by in vitro digestion which are: i) the raw material used for ANC obtention; ii) food processing; iii) other food components; iv) the extraction method and solvents used; v) the structure of ANC; vi) delivery system (e.g., microencapsulation); vii) pH of the medium; viii) the digestion stage.

CONCLUSION

Simulated digestion systems allow to determine free or encapsulated ANC bioaccessibility in different food matrices, which offers advantages in determining the potential functionality of a food product.

Gentisic acid prevents diet-induced obesity in mice by accelerating the thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue

Gentisic acid prevents diet-induced obesity in mice by accelerating the thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue.

Native and exotic plants with edible fleshy fruits utilized in Patagonia and their role as sources of local functional foods

Background

Traditionally part of the human diet, plants with edible fleshy fruits (PEFF) contain bioactive components that may exert physiological effects beyond nutrition, promoting human health and well-being. Focusing on their food-medicine functionality, different ways of using PEFF were studied in a cross-sectional way using two approaches: a bibliographical survey and an ethnobotanical case study in a rural community of Patagonia, Argentina.

Methods

A total of 42 studies were selected for the bibliographical review. The case study was carried out with 80% of the families inhabiting the rural community of Cuyín Manzano, using free listing, interviews, and participant observation. In both cases we analyzed species richness and use patterns through the edible consensus and functional consensus indices. Local foods, ailments, medicines and drug plants were also registered.

Results

The review identified 73 PEFF, the majority of which (78%) were native species, some with the highest use consensus. PEFF were used in 162 different local foods, but mainly as fresh fruit. Of the total, 42% were used in a functional way, in 54 different medicines. The principal functional native species identified in the review were Aristotelia chilensis and Berberis microphylla. In the case study 20 PEFF were in current use (50% were native), and consensus values were similar for native and exotic species. These were used in 44 different local foods, mainly as fresh fruit. Only 30% were recognized for their functional value by inhabitants (mainly as gastrointestinal and respiratory treatments). The species with the highest functional consensus were the exotic Sambucus nigra and Rosa rubiginosa, followed by the native A. chilensis, Ribes magellanicum and B. microphylla. Infusions also constituted important local functional foods.

Conclusions

This survey highlights the importance of studying the different local functional foods to depict the biocultural diversity of a human society. The preparation of different beverages and herbal medicines was relevant, and would be a promising subject to investigate in the future. The living heritage of PEFF appears to have undergone hybridization processes, such that exotic species play an increasingly significant role.